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Operations Quarterly Update 2015

Quarter Four, 2015

CANSO continues to lead regional workshops and discussions on operational matters. The CDM Subgroup held a three-day workshop in Panama City to promote the implementation of airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM) at Tocumen International Airport and start the basis of a city pair initiative between Tocumen and Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica. The workshop concluded with an agreement signed by COPA Airlines, Tocumen International Airport and Panama Civil Aviation Authority to set up an A-CDM Committee to implement A-CDM in Panama.

CANSO held workshops at the CANSO Latin America and Caribbean Conference on the timely sharing of accurate information to support A-CDM and ATFM (air traffic flow management); connecting ASBUs (Aviation System Block Upgrades) with State air navigation plans as they follow the ASBU approach to modernise and harmonise their aviation systems; and the evolution of automation systems that interface with neighbouring flight information regions.

The Operations Standing Committee (OSC) conducted its Full Workgroup meeting in Vienna, Austria, at the end of October. The Full Workgroup meeting is where all operations workgroups come together to progress work on current projects, collaborate with other operations workgroups, and provide updates to the OSC. There was a strong emphasis on updating the current work plan, bringing global level work to the regions through conferences, workshops, etc. and working in partnership with ICAO, IATA and ACI in particular.

ASBU Implementation TrainingTo help ANSPs comply with the ASBU framework in the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), MITRE and CANSO offer a five-day training course, ‘Methodology and Best Practices for ASBU implementation’. The course gives practical solutions to ANSPs on how to approach their internal needs and how to prioritise, select and implement the ASBU modules so they best meet the operational requirements of ANSPs. CANSO Members benefit from attractive course rates or an in-house training package for a fixed fee is also possible. Further information about the course can be found online

Quarter Three, 2015

CANSO’s Operations Standing Committee (OSC) has concluded that when a plane crosses from one FIR to another it often encounters disparities in: separation standards; procedures in filing flight-plans; air traffic flow management (ATFM) measures; pilot-to-controller and controller-to-controller communication capabilities; as well as incompatibilities between adjacent automation platforms and inconsistent airspace structures. The recently published Best Practice Guide to Crossing Flight Information Region (FIR) Boundaries will help ANSPs reduce or eliminate factors that contribute to: operational inefficiencies; unnecessary fuel burn and CO2 emissions; and loss of required separation standards as aircraft cross FIR boundaries. It will help ANSPs work with neighbouring FIRs and stakeholders to identify and address inter-dependencies and inconsistencies in operations across FIR boundaries.

The Environment Workgroup has partnered with Airports Council International to produce Mitigating Airport Noise Impacts: A Guide for Airport Operators and Air Navigation Service Providers. Noise around airports has become a big political and regulatory issue; often mobilising local communities and leading to operational restrictions, constraints and project delays. This guidance document will set out the noise management challenges faced by the aviation industry and will offer guidance to ANSPs, airport operators and other key stakeholders to understand and reduce the impact of aircraft noise around airports. The document will include case studies to reflect actual experience with airport noise issues along with examples of stakeholder collaboration. It will be published to coincide with the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit on 29-30 September in Geneva.

The OSC continues to lead regional workshops and discussions on operational matters. At the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference, in Fukuoka, Japan, the OSC led discussions on A-CDM, FIR boundary crossings, civil/military collaboration, and led a workshop on operational performance metrics.

The OSC is preparing for its Full Workgroup Meeting in Vienna, Austria, 27 – 30 October 2015, hosted by Austro Control. The purpose of this meeting is for all Members of OSC workgroups to come together as one team to progress work on current projects, collaborate with other OSC workgroups, and provide updates to the OSC.

CANSO has been warmly thanked for its support in the collection of ASBU implementation data by ICAO’s Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). The information is being used to analyse the expected environmental impacts and benefits (fuel savings and CO2 reduction) arising from the implementation of the ASBU Block 0 (2013-2018) modules. The responses received by ICAO represented more than 90% of total global traffic, a hugely impressive response. Many of these responses came through in response to the CANSO request. We wish to congratulate and pass on the thanks of CAEP to the CANSO Members and Regions who helped to make this happen.

Further ABSU Implementation Training (delivered by MITRE as a quality service from CANSO) will be held:

Please sign up for one of the courses to ensure that your organisation is fully capable of selecting, prioritising and implementing the ASBU capabilities as defined in the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). The five-day training course provides a thorough understanding of effective implementation strategies for expedient and cost-effective results.

Quarter Two, 2015

The FIR Boundary Crossing Taskforce is finalising a best practice guide, focusing on mitigating issues with flight plan quality, specifically reducing and eliminating duplicate and multiple flight plans; as well as operations in a mixed surveillance/non-surveillance environment.

The A-CDM Subgroup is drafting Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) which will offer introductory guidance to Airport-CDM. A-CDM applies to all airports irrespective of size; supports landside, airside and en-route operations; and enhances forward planning and tactical decision making.

OSC continues to lead regional workshops and discussions on operational matters. In early May in Fukuoka, Japan, in conjunction with the CANSO Asia Pacific Conference, the OSC will discuss A-CDM, FIR boundary crossings, civil/military collaboration, and it will hold a workshop on operational performance metrics.

The first ASBU Implementation Training in Europe, hosted by HungaroControl in Budapest has been postponed to 28 September – 2 October. We invite all stakeholders (CAAs, ANSPs and aviation industry companies involved in aviation system modernisation) to attend this course. For more information please visit the website.

Quarter One, 2015

The Airport-CDM Subgroup and the FIR Boundary Crossing Taskforce (FIRBX) led interactive workshops at the CANSO Latin American & Caribbean Conference in December. The A-CDM workshop demonstrated that CDM is not a tool, but a process that involves identification of issues and working toward a timely, strategic, and collaborative solution. A-CDM can be applied at any airport regardless of size; between mixed-size airports; and even across continents.

The FIRBX workshop identified potential inconsistencies, discrepancies, and anomalies that could result in a negative impact to aircraft and/or the service provider during the transition of aircraft across FIR boundaries. It is working on a best practice guide that will look at the reduction and elimination of duplicate and multiple flight plans as well as operating in a mixed surveillance/non-surveillance environment.

Both the PBN Subgroup and the Operational Performance Workgroup are finalising important documents for publication. Performance-Based Navigation - Best Practice Guidelines for ANSPs, and Recommended Key Performance Indicators for Measuring ATM Operational Performance are in line to be published in time for the CANSO Global ATM Operations Conference 12-13 March. Additionally, the two groups are collaborating to develop PBN performance metrics and key performance indicators to assist states in the optimal implementation of PBN and in developing a PBN business case.

The Operations Standing Committee is preparing for the 6th CANSO Global ATM Operations Conference in Madrid, Spain, 12-13 March. This conference will showcase CANSO's commitment to "Delivering ATM Success" and will bring together operations experts from around the world. Workshops and discussions will highlight current and future work streams of the CANSO OSC and provide the opportunity to exchange information and ideas on operational and technical ATM practices.

Conference panel discussions will cover the challenges of implementing airspace and system changes in both an environmental and noise sensitive environment, and will explore the procedural and regulatory challenges of integrating commercial spaceflight activity into airspace used by other commercial operators.